Month: July 2025

Iceland’s Dating App Uses Genealogy to Prevent Incest

Posted on July 16, 2025
Tablet displaying the logo of ÍslendingaApp, an Icelandic dating app aimed at preventing accidental incest.

AS – Iceland’s ÍslendingaApp is a government-backed dating app created to prevent accidental incest in the country’s small population. Using a 1,200-year genealogical database covering 95% of Icelanders, the app alerts users if a match is too closely related. Launched in 2013 by university students, it gained global attention despite only 5,000 downloads locally. Some users discovered unexpected family ties, but few stopped dating due to distant shared ancestry.

See full article at AS

Summarized by the Courtland Brooks team

Singles Turn to AI for Dating Help

Posted on July 15, 2025

KeeplerCBS NEWS – More singles are turning to AI to improve their online dating game. A recent Match.com and Kinsey Institute study found that 1 in 4 singles, and nearly half of Gen Z, now use AI for dating help, a 333% increase from last year. AI tools like Rizz and Keepler offer support with conversation prompts, ghosting responses, and personalized messaging advice, acting as digital dating coaches. Rizz, used mostly by 18–25-year-olds, lets users upload screenshots from chats and suggests replies using generative AI. Keepler's in-app guide, Keri, rewrites feedback and ghosting messages to help users handle tough situations more empathetically.

by Mary Cunningham
See full article at CBS News

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‘Yearners’ Are Sick of Playing It Cool on Dating Apps

Posted on July 15, 2025
Screenshot of the Tinder app showcasing the 'Double Date' feature, with profiles of two male users and a chat screen displaying a conversation.

WIRED – More daters, especially young men, are openly embracing emotional vulnerability online – calling themselves “yearners.” The trend, driven by TikTok and rising social media chatter, reflects frustration with emotionally distant dating culture. Dating apps like Hinge and Tinder are responding: Hinge added features to reward enthusiasm in messages; Tinder launched “Double Date” to boost interaction. Interest in yearning has doubled in two years. The shift signals a move away from playing it cool toward a direct, intentional connection.

by Jason Parham
See full article at Wired

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Gen Z Rejects AI on Dating Apps

Posted on July 15, 2025

Ai in dating appsBLOOMBERG – A Bloomberg Intelligence survey of 1K U.S. users found Gen Z less comfortable than millennials using AI on dating apps, for writing prompts, replying to messages, or editing photos. ~50% said they don't need AI to build profiles or chat, suggesting limited demand for these tools. Analyst Nicole D'Souza warned that underused AI features could hurt company margins. Match Group has faced eight straight quarters of subscriber declines, while Bumble also reports falling revenue. Gen Z, now about half of Tinder's user base, dates less and prefers long-term relationships. Hinge, which caters to that, is growing. Tinder is trying to rebrand with features like double-dating to better meet Gen Z's needs.

by Natalie Lung
See full article at Bloomberg

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OkCupid Singles Reveal How They’re Dating

Posted on July 15, 2025

Okcupid logo 2021OKCUPID BLOG – According to a 2025 survey of 1,200 OkCupid users, dating is slower and more intentional. 71% seek meaningful relationships, and 57% meet partners through apps, still the dominant method. Only 11% meet in real life. Values (61%) and past experiences (34%) shape how people date, not social media. Most daters prefer clarity but move at their own pace. 57% research matches before dates, and 79% say sexual compatibility is key. Ambition is valued more than income. Overall, dating today is thoughtful, emotionally aware, and still centered on apps.

See full article at OkCupid Blog

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VC Bets on AI-powered Relationship Platforms Replacing Dating Apps

Posted on July 14, 2025

Gigi
BUSINESS INSIDER – Amber Atherton, partner at VC firm Patron, says dating apps are being replaced by AI-driven platforms that connect users across romance, friendship, and work. Startups like Boardy position themselves as AI-powered professional connectors, while Gigi recently shifted from dating to broader social networking using AI. Patron isn't invested in these but is backing similar early-stage companies through its $100M consumer tech fund. It has invested in Arya, an AI intimacy coach, and is tracking apps like 222 and Real Roots that organize real-life meetups, and Autograph, a tool for preserving family stories.

by Sydney Bradley
See full article at Business Insider

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Hinge & Meetic Hackathons

Posted on July 10, 2025

Meetic Resonance
LINKEDIN – Hinge and Meetic held their annual hackathons, where teams across the organization come together to find new ways for people to form IRL connections. The Hinge winner was "Hinge IRL," a proposal to get more people on IRL dates by offering immediate options for nearby meetups with people who match your interests and timing. The Meetic winner was "Resonance." Resonance would use AI voice technology to capture a user's energy, personality, and truth, allowing micro-conversations to open the doors to real connections. Tinder's hackathon is in the fall.

See full article at LinkedIn

Mark Brooks: Internal company hackathons are a GREAT way to build excitement and create real innovation. Does your company do an annual hackathon or innovation hothouse? Careful facilitation and lead-in are key. We can help.

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Dating App Coffee Meets Bagel Rolls out Identity Verification

Posted on July 10, 2025

CoffeeMeetsBagel logoTHE STRAITS TIMES – Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB) has introduced identity verification in Singapore using government records accessed through Singpass, allowing users to confirm details like age, gender, and marital status via their national ID. ~70% of users are now verified. From July 15, users can filter out unverified profiles. A survey showed 75% of users had encountered fake profiles, with 81% supporting stricter identity checks. Scam complaints dropped from 0.56% to 0.21% since the rollout. While many welcomed the change, some raised privacy concerns. CMB says all data is encrypted, securely stored, and managed in line with Singapore's data protection laws.

by Lee Li Lin & Sarah Koh
See full article at The Straits Times

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How This Employee Perk Can up Your Dating Game

Posted on July 10, 2025

HingeINC – Hinge gives its 300+ employees $100 per month to spend on dates or quality time with loved ones, promoting real-life connection as part of its benefits package. The perk applies to anyone – partners, friends, or family – and is shared in a company Slack channel. Hinge also offers a $3,000 annual "Be Your Best Self" fund for personal development and holds biannual summits and biweekly success-story sessions to maintain morale. While most U.S. companies are cutting wellness benefits, Hinge sees them as essential to fostering meaningful work and relationships.

by Kayla Webster
See full article at INC

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